Page 25 of Chaos & Carnage

Not an answer, but rather than arguing, because I’m too fucking tired for that, I ask, “What are your plans with the Antonelli Empire once your father is no longer an issue?”

After today, after my men saw him on their turf, and with how quickly we need to move to eliminate Giovanni before he completely wipes us from the board, I have to know if Dante is an issue I also need to account for.

I know Red thinks he’s worth saving, but if he’s a threat to my men, to the future we are trying to build, then he has to go. I won’t get rid of one egotistical overseer just to replace him with another.

“With my father out of the picture, I’m next in line to take his place.”

There it is. The answer that I knew was coming yet was afraid to hear. There’s no uncertainty in Dante’s tone. He’ll step into his father’s shoes in his absence. Which means he’s officially become a problem.

I cock a brow. “And you expect the men to simply follow your rule after you defected? Not the best start to a new reign.”

“Only the men who were in the tower that night and my father’s closest advisers will have any knowledge of my deceit.” He must see my surprise as he explains, “It would be seen as a weakness, and one thing my father will not tolerate is anyone perceiving him as weak.”

“So my men will remove your father and his closest advisors and pave the way for you to take his place.” Dante’s brow raises at my scathing tone, while he crosses his arms over his chest, his eyes boring into mine.

“What is it you really want to ask me, Cain?”

“I want to know if you’re going to be a problem.”

“You want to know if I’m going to be my father,” he counters.

I shrug a shoulder. “Same thing.”

His lips thin as he mulls over his response, tense seconds passing by as I wait to hear if I’m going to have to go against Red’s wishes and kill him.

“I don’t agree with everything my father does. I’ll admit I’m just as guilty of staying on my side of the river and not giving a shit about what happens over here unless it directly affected us, but I’m not my father. I have no interest in making the lives of the people of Black Creek even more miserable.”

“What does that mean?” I bite out. “Are you going to go back to pretending none of us exist?”

Dante studies me for a moment, his eyes narrowing. “Is that whatyouwant?”

One side of my lip lifts in a snarl. “I want the people in this city to have a fighting chance. To not be at each other’s throats over scraps and pennies. To not have to fear that an Antonelli will storm into their life over some petty issue and turn their world upside down.”

“You want the Antonellis to stay out of Black Creek,” he accurately summarizes.

“If you’re not going to better it, then yes.”

He nods thoughtfully before he says, “The Antonellis have plenty. We have no need for the city. If you want it, then I’m sure we can come to some sort of an agreement.”

It’s not quite the outright agreement to leave Black Creek alone I’d hoped for, but it’s more than I expected from him.

“And what would you want in exchange?” His gaze flicks toward the doorway, and I instantly stiffen, my tone non-negotiable as I grit out, “I won’t give up Red.”

“As tempting as that is, I wasn’t going to ask you to. For whatever reason that I can’t understand, Sawyer actually likes you.” His less than impressed gaze runs over me. “Personally, I find you abrasive and unlikeable.”

“And I find you apathetic and cold.”

He shrugs, unbothered by my judgment of him, just like I don’t give a shit what he thinks of me.

“The point is,” he sighs in frustration, “Sawyerlikes you.” He looks like he’s chewing on something he finds repugnant before he spits out, “And unfortunately, I find myself unable to do anything that would upset her. If you and your men can help overthrow my father and remove everyone loyal to him, then in exchange, I’ll help you restore Black Creek.”

His offer leaves me speechless. I hadn’t ever expected him tohelpme. My eyes narrow in suspicion. “Why would you do that?”

“Because this is Sawyer’s home. I doubt she’ll leave it, especially not if she has the opportunity to help improve it.” He purses his lips. “Which means it’ll be my home, too.” He looks thoroughly unimpressed by that idea, and yeah, I can’t exactly picture someone like Dante slumming it here in the grungy streets of Black Creek instead of his gleaming, glass apartment on the elite side of the river.

“You’re going to move here?” I question, unsure if that’s what he means or not.

“I’ll be wherever Sawyer is. If that’s here, then,”—he sighs— “yes, I’ll be moving here.”

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